“Socialism in One Country”Lenin’s Death and the Power Struggle/Leon Trotsky vs. Joseph Stalin

Lenin was shot in 1921 and never fully recovered He later dies in Jan. 1924 Since Lenin died they needed a new leader so a power struggle between Stalin and Trotsky begins The two debated on “Guns or Butter” the debate was Heavy Industry(guns (military)) or Consumer goods (butter) The struggle between the two of them continues for 3 years In the end Stalin succeeds He then expels Trotsky from Soviet Union and later he puts Trotsky on trial in abstentia for treason Trotsky is then hunted down and assassinated in Mexico City in 1940 (with an ice pick) Stalin then follows “Socialism in One Country” slogan/idea Stalin exiled TrotskyTrotsky found refuge in Mexico and was assassinated with an ice pick Stalin ordered the assassination of Trotsky

Summary

While they both believed in Communism and were trusted by Lenin, Stalin gained popularity from the people and was chosen as Lenin's successor. Stalin was very good at getting the people's support and that is why he won. Stalin later charged Trotsky with treason and had him assassinated in Mexico where Trotsky had found refuge. He was killed with an Ice Pick.